Epilogue
WIN/WIN
Chapter 122
YUKI AND RED DOG Parisi walked down the green terrazzo hallway toward Judge LaVan’s chambers. Yuki was thinking, Anything could go wrong and as history had shown, it probably would. Red Dog said to her, “I’ve changed my mind.”
“What did you say?”
“You don’t need me. Just do what you do, Yuki. It’s your party. Call me when you’re done.”
“I can’t believe you’re wimping out on me.”
Parisi laughed. “Yeah, that’s me. A big ol’ wimp. Now, you go get ’em. I’ll be in my office after lunch.”
“Wus,” she called after him.
Parisi laughed.
Yuki knocked on the judge’s door and heard him shout, “Come in.” She opened the door and entered Judge Byron LaVan’s chambers. Phil Hoffman and Candace Martin were in place and the judge was behind his desk, wearing his robes to maintain formality.
The court reporter, Sharon Shine, was sitting at her own small table. She put down the phone, said hello to Yuki, and asked after the deputy DA.
“Len had an emergency meeting out of the building. I’ll brief him later,” Yuki said, attempting to convey with her body language that Parisi’s absence was no big deal.
“Your Honor, everyone’s present,” said the court reporter.
“Fire up your transcription machine, Sharon. Everyone, this proceeding is now in session. Dr. Martin, do you know why you’re here?”
“Yes, Your Honor.”
“You’ve told the clerk that you’ve changed your plea to guilty. Is that correct?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Mr. Hoffman, any objections you wish to put on the record at this time?”
“No, Judge.”
“Ms. Castellano?”
“Your Honor, we’re prepared to recommend sentencing based on the defendant’s complete allocution.”
“Okay, Dr. Martin. You’re up. You’re saying that you’re guilty as charged, second-degree murder of your husband. Is that right?”
Candace Martin said, “Yes, Your Honor. I killed him without premeditation.”
“Tell me about that,” said LaVan. “Don’t leave out a word.”
Yuki thought Candace looked like she was sedated. When she spoke, her voice was soft but steady, even when she recreated the terrible scene that preceded the shooting. When she’d finished, she sat back in her chair and sighed deeply.
“Mr. Hoffman, have you spoken with the District Attorney’s Office? You’ve worked something out?”
“Yes, sir, we have.”
“Ms. Castellano?”
Yuki was unprepared for the rush of emotions she felt. Candace Martin had been part of her life for almost a year and a half. Even as she tried other cases, the Martin case had been on her mind, and new information had been added continually to a folder on her computer.